Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Costa Coffee seek permission to open in Launceston town square

Costa Coffee have applied for planning permission to open a shop in Launceston town square. They are seeking to take over the currently empty building last occupied by Day Lewis and before that by Boots - 24 Broad Street.

The building is listed, but Costa are only proposing to make substantial changes to the ground floor - currently a pretty ugly aluminium framed shopfront. They would replace this with a wood and glass frontage. The proposal would also mean a change of use.

Costa say that they would create 10-12 full time equivalent jobs with the new shop as well as bringing an empty shop back into use.

This is going to be a controversial application as the community must judge whether a national chain coffee shop a reasonable use for this property and what effect would it have on other similar businesses in the town.

There is nothing in this application with regard to the rumours about Costa seeking to use part of the town square for outdoor seating. Any such plans (if they even exist) would be part of a separate discussion and cannot be considered as part of this application.

If you want to have your say on this application, please go to the planning portal on Cornwall Council's website to view the details and fill in a comment form.

But there are already tea and coffee shops, tried my first Costa hot chocolate the other day - seriously dissapointed. Costa may create jobs, but they tax dodge to keep profits rather than pay the tax that the small coffee shops have to. Maybe if there is such high demand for latte first thing it's something that needs to be brought to other coffee shops attention?

Whilst well known coffee shops may be an attraction for the two people who have commented, there are a number of really good coffee shops currently serving lovely lattes, cappuccinos, americanos and espressos in Launceston. So, they can already enjoy one, if they visit the town at any time. The debate needs to focus on the merits of a national chain competing with local cafés in the square, when in this case, Costa has already three outlets in the town.

But there are already tea and coffee shops, tried my first Costa hot chocolate the other day - seriously dissapointed. Costa may create jobs, but they tax dodge to keep profits rather than pay the tax that the small coffee shops have to. Maybe if there is such high demand for latte first thing it's something that needs to be brought to other coffee shops attention?

There is already at least one speciality coffee shop in the town that already caters for the needs of customers requiring quality coffee, and there is already Costa at Tescos for those who do want to go to a brand name. Of course it is good to see the building utilised as it has been empty for a long time and that has not been good for the town at all - but as mentioned above, Costa already has 3 outlets in the town. Regrettably it is likely the case that only a big chain can afford such a building. We must however where possible facilitate our independent businesses who are struggling rather than big chains who lack individual character and lack focus on the customer or product in my experience. I would be interested to know what steps if any will be taken to mitigate the effect on other local affected businesses in this event.

There is already at least one speciality coffee shop in the town that already caters for the needs of customers requiring quality coffee, and there is already Costa at Tescos for those who do want to go to a brand name. Of course it is good to see the building utilised as it has been empty for a long time and that has not been good for the town but as mentioned above, Costa already has 3 outlets in the town. Regrettably it is likely the case that only a big chain can afford such a building. We must however where possible facilitate our independent businesses who lack individual character and lack focus on the customer or product in my experience. I would be interested to know what steps if any will be taken to mitigate the effect on other affected businesses.

The three 'outlets' that you describe are as follows:2 vending machines in garages that only offer powdered instant Costa tasting coffees with only 3 different varieties and 1 outlet in the only major supermarket in this town that most people despise going too.I agree that there are other coffee shops but these are over priced and run by the hierarchy that think they run this town. It will bring more full time jobs and a busier town centre. I think they should also go for the outside seating as this was why the town centre was pedestrianised for in the first place. Costa offer more choice of coffees than all the others and at a cheaper price. So please get off your high horse and get something else other than a charity shop or hairdressers..... Rant over

It's bringing jobs to the town, healthy competition, - the good coffee shops will still remain with their loyal customers, it'll refurbish an unused shop and it's not a hairdressers or charity shop. Plenty of reasons for it to go ahead.

We don't need another coffee shop / cafe in the town, there are enough local ones already there that we should support. Far better to encourage stores we have a shortage of, like clothes, shoes, furniture, bringing back the market day every week, maybe in the town hall, so not weather reliant would be a good idea too, alongside free parking throughout the town on market days to encourage it's growth and attendance.

It may kick all the coffee shops in to shape!! I say bring it on, I have stopped going to independent's as they are never the same at least with Costa Coffee you can go anywhere in the uk and get a good cup of coffee

This could be one of the best things to happen to this town,a coffee shop that's open 7 days a week and evenings ,it will be good to be able to sit in the square and have a coffee on a sunny evening or Sunday afternoon.As far as saying we already have coffee shops that's ridiculous ,so what do we do just have one of everything,I don't think so it's called competition it's what healthy business is all about.if we don't move with the times this town will definitely die,it's being strangelde by all the protestors in this town already!

If you like weak, tasteless, overpriced coffee then support Costa's application.

However if you are prepared to walk a few more yards you will be able to buy coffee tasting as it should, at lower prices than Costa.

As far as bringing new employment to the town, yes it would, but at what cost. With Costa's advertising power the independents would suffer, putting some of them out of business. To those that say "health competition", I wonder if you would feel the same if it was your business under threat. Think about it!Launceston needs to attracted business to build the town, not another coffee shop.

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